The Men’s shed Messenger

Co-Patrons:

Councillor Rowena Abbey, Mayor of Yass Valley & Nic Carmody, Inaugural Patron and

Former Mayor of Yass Valley

BC Canada

Brother Sheds

NSW Australia

Messenger No 25 for 2014

Friday 12 December 2014

This will be the Last Messenger for 2014 – enjoy it – there is no more (until 2015)!

And a very Merry Christmas to all members (and anyone else who reads this newsletter) from the YVMS Committee

If you want to see previous editions of the Messenger, you can find them all on the YVMS Website at this address

(just click on it): http://yassmensshed.org.au/newsletter-archive - go back and dig out some YVMS history.

For information on Shed Opening Times, regular events and contacts: please click on this link

http://yassmensshed.org.au/

Download a Membership Form if you know someone who would like to join our Shed. Click on this link http://yassmensshed.org.au/wp-content/uploads/YVMS-Membership-Application-Form.pdf and

print the form for them.

http://yassmensshed.org.au/newsletter-archivehttp://yassmensshed.org.au/http://yassmensshed.org.au/wp-content/uploads/YVMS-Membership-Application-Form.pdf

The Yass Valley Men’s Shed is very grateful for the generous support of the following entities: BarkerHarle (Consulting Engineers), Bendigo Bank (Boorowa), Bunnings (Belconnen), Goodradigbee

Bookkeeping, Home Hardware (Yass), IGA (Yass), KidsBlitz, the Lansdowne Foundation, Long Paddock IT Services, Miller’s Pharmacy, NSW Coalition Government, NSW Local Member Minister Katrina

Hodgkinson, Robertson Landscape Supplies, Southern Cable Services, Steve Bugden Plumbing, Tank’s Bakery, Touie Smith Jnr, Yass & District Printing, Yass Fire Brigade, YassFM, Yass Freemasons, Yass Lions

Club, Yass Pharmacy, Yass Rotary Club, Yass Valley Council, Yass Valley First Aid Training, Yass Valley Physiotherapy, The Yass Tribune, Woolworths (Yass).

Please let me know if you think the list is missing an important sponsor/supporter.

Calendar of upcoming events at the Shed (or elsewhere)

Shed (in house) Christmas Party and Secret Santa – next Tuesday 9 to noon This will be your last chance to have a good time at the Shed this year!

On Tuesday 16 December, there will be a festive feast and frolic during the normal

Tuesday opening time at the Shed (ie 9am to noon).

Secret Santa will occur (providing members actually manage to put some pressies for the Shed in the Gift Box) and this will be followed by gastronomic gaiety, food to phantasise over, delicious delights and tantalising taste treats. So far the Secret Santa gift box is pretty depressing – get involved and give the Shed a present for being so good to and for you this year! Chef R2 has promised to organise and deliver a Christmas repast you will not soon forget. I understand the theme might include food in the red, green and white groups – so, put this one in your diaries and make sure we (and you!!) see off 2014 in style at the Shed. Let me know if you can come – it will help with catering.

Shed Arrangements over the Christmas/New Year period

1. This coming week (finishing on Saturday 20 December) will be the last week that the Shed will be formally open for this year.

2. The Shed will be closed officially for the Christmas and New Year weeks: ie from Tuesday 23

December to Saturday 3 January inclusive.

So my message to you is “enjoy the Shed, there is not much time left this year!”

3. At this point the Shed will reopen for business on Tuesday 6 January; and

4. NB: The First Wednesday Morning Tea will be back on Wednesday 7 January 2015.

News Review

Farewell to Bill Findley

Bill Findley has left the building! ...and is on his way to starting his new life in South West Rocks (near Kempsey). He and Wendy intend to spend Christmas and New Year with their daughter on the Central Coast and then move to South West Rocks later in January. We had a farewell for Bill at the December First Wednesday Morning Tea where some 25 or 30 members showed up during the morning to wish Bill well (and to make sure he was actually serious about leaving!) Bill was a bit torn and sad to be moving on (as were we), but progress is progress and both Bill and Wendy have been looking forward to this move for quite some time. Bill was a most unique member of our Shed and will be missed. However, he will be on the coast road to Queensland and has let it be known that he will be looking forward to members calling in on their way to other places. We wish Wendy and Bill the very best of all possible futures in their new life.

VALMAR Christmas BBQ

Our VALMAR members have finished up their visits to the Shed for 2014. Quite a number of members have mentored and helped these men over the last year and as an indication of their appreciation, VALMAR and our VALMAR members invited the Tuesday morning VALMAR helpers to a BBQ on their last day. On behalf of the Committee and members of the Men’s Shed, we wish all our VALMAR members and the Team at VALMAR a great Christmas and New Year and we are all looking forward to taking up in 2015 where we have left off in 2014.

Shed Christmas Lunch Fifty-two Shed members and guests attended the YVMS Christmas lunch held at Lien’s Restaurant in Comur Street on Thursday 11 December.

The Party and meal was a great success – as can be seen by the happy faces of those who were prepared to let me take their photos. We have had a very successful year of great events and maintaining our membership at more than 100. We were very lucky to have the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson, Member for Burrinjuck at our Party and following a Committee Decision, David Staines presented her with a Certificate of Honorary Membership, her membership name badge and a Men’s Shed Happy Christmas Mug!

No-one told me Santa was coming!

This was all done in recognition of Katrina’s great support given to the YVMS (and also her moral and written support for the Okanagan Men’s Shed in Canada – which we hear might be bearing political fruit there) since her Government has come to office in NSW. We have received two separate grants totalling $20,000 largely due to Dara’s great submission writing skills and Katrina’s direct support within the decision making halls of government.

The most recent $10,000 grant has purchased our two shipping containers and we also presented Katrina with a model Mack Truck with a 40 foot container on the back in Shed livery as a memento of that valuable and valued assistance. The Members of the Yass Valley Men’s Shed wish Katrina great success in her new electorate (but will bet good money she won’t find a Shed like ours there!!)

Shed Christmas Raffle The Yass Quick Quilters donated a lovely quilt to the Shed in thanks for some of our members helping them assemble and pull down their display racks for the Classic Yass Weekend exhibition some weeks ago. The Committee decided to raffle the quilt and the raffle was drawn at the Christmas lunch on Thursday – The Shed’s wonderful Patron Mayor Rowena Abbey doing the honours. The lucky winner was Kaye Moebus who immediately passed the quilt on to Debbie Pfitzner who had bought the ticket for Kaye (if you are confused, you are not the only one)! The raffle raised $151.85 for the Shed coffers. (another conundrum – don’t ask me how if tickets are $2 each and 3 for $5 we managed to and up with an extra $1.85? NB: at the end of the lunch, a black collapsible umbrella was found on the floor under a table. That umbrella is on the bench top in the kitchen at the Shed if the owner wishes to retrieve it.

Two votes of thanks to Clarrie Schlunke A few years back we were given a dirty, but apparently unused Record CL3 wood lathe. The lathe was missing a few bits so we made up a couple of pieces to get us under way, but with limited usability. Thanks to Clarrie Schlunke the Record Wood Lathe is now much more user friendly and has greater potential for projects. All we need now is approximately $200 for a second chuck. Clarrie had kindly donated a "Cam Lock" tool rest holder as fitted to the latest model lathe as well as a face plate, live centre for the tail stock and a thread protector for the thread on the main shaft. If anyone is keen to have a go at wood turning just talk to me and I will show you the features and operation of this lathe and get you started. Many thanks to Clarrie for this kind and generous donation. Roger Holgate. Totem Tennis set donation You might recall that Richard Rowan placed an advert in the last Messenger follows: “Members...as some of you know I am a psychologist. I often come across clients in my 16,000 sq km patch that need assistance but cannot

afford extras on their budget.....have a current case...I need a 'Totem Tennis’ set one bat is fine.....or parts thereof...can anyone help me please.” Clarrie had a fossick at his place and has donated a totem tennis set so Richard’s young client can use up some of the energy that has been contributing to his/her “issues”. Many thanks (again) Clarrie.

Happenings and activities at or related to the Shed

Andrew Douglas at the Yass Pharmacy has some great 2015 calendars on his counter. They are actually free, but there is also a “donation” box next to the calendars. Any money that is placed in that donation box will be shared between the Men’s Shed and another worthy cause in Yass. Get along and pick up a calendar and leave a small (gold coin) donation – it will help the Shed. Support the Yass Pharmacy – they are supporting us! Alternatively, you can leave your small donation in our donation box at the Shed if you prefer. Every little bit helps.

Yass RSL Sub-Branch call for assistance for ANZAC remembrance events in 2015.

The Shed has been invited to help construct some secure bases for a series of (3 or 4) “Perspex” display cases (2ft x 4ft) in which First World War memorabilia will be displayed in the Memorial Hall for the week before and the week following ANZAC Day in 2015. The project is a relatively straight forward one and may be particularly of interest to any members who have Service history and would like to have a practical role in the remembrance events. It looks like we already have some “takers” for this challenge – but if you would like to help, please contact Wayne Stuart for more info.

Message from Joe Morrissey: “I have about 10 globe artichoke plants to give away. They have self-seeded from our plants. We already have enough plants, so I’ll be leaving them on the “produce” stand at the Shed over the next short while.

The Billiards/Snooker table is now fully functional in the front room at the Shed. Anyone who wants a game is urged (and welcome) to help themselves. Grab a mate and revisit that lost youth!!

The metal shop container is fast approaching the point where the equipment can be moved in. Electrics are almost finalised – many thanks to Bob Nash and John Backhouse. We will need some “heavy lifters” to help with the relocation and set-up of equipment quite soon. Don’t leave for the coast just yet!

Early Christmas Presents at the Men’s Shed If you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to come to the Shed to collect your YVMS Happy Christmas Coffee Mug. These mugs have been jointly funded by the Shed and the Tuesday Exercise class held in the YVCC (next door to the Shed). On behalf of the Shed Committee and the Shed Members, I would like to personally thank the members of the Exercise Group for this generous gesture

Miller’s Pharmacy Peter Miller from Miller’s Pharmacy has approached the Shed to see if his business might be able to assist the Shed in its activities and aims. Peter visited the Shed last week and we discussed a number of things including how his team might be able to assist with our Seminar program or even provide more focussed smaller group health information events for members and the wider community. Peter has promised to consider a number of ideas and

will let us know in due course. I was speaking with Peter during the week just passed, and he mentioned that he will be contacting me soon with news of what his business will be doing for us. I will keep you informed.

Workshop Refresher and tool accreditation sessions

Roger Holgate’s refresher courses were both well attended and were well received. HOWEVER, we continue to have damage done to our machines and valuable assets – presumably by members who consider themselves to know that they are doing, but clearly do not! Roger is always available to demonstrate and explain the workings of all or our valuable equipment and will be pleased to assist you to refine your skills on any piece of machinery that you might wish to use. You can contact him as follows: Email: roger42@dodo.com.au; or Phone: 0428 509 242

Shed taxi service – waiting for your call!

We have a basic service ready to start operations as follows: Our Shed Taxi coordinator is Richard Maxwell (well done, Richard!) you can contact Richard on his mobile: 0416 022 416 or by Email: cherex@bigpond.net.au to book your taxi for a time and place that suits you (remember this only works when the Shed is open for normal activity (Tuesdays 9am to noon, Thursdays 2-4.30pm and Saturdays noon to 4pm – AND the First Wednesday of each month (10am to 11.30 when we have a morning tea and not workshop noise!) Taxi drivers: Chris Brown in the Rossi Street (West) area and en route to and from the Shed from there on Saturdays. Also Richard Rowan (Tuesdays) and Wayne Stuart.

This is a great idea – don’t leave it to others – be an active part of helping mates enjoy the Shed! Let me know if you can volunteer. If anyone needs a ride to and/or from the Shed all you have to do is contact one of these drivers.

YVCC NEWS

Shed Signage Service

The “artiste” who crafted The David Hale Room sign now hanging proudly in the YVCC has offered to do it for

anyone else who wants a personalised sign made for any purpose (Property or House naming, Dog

Kennel name, “Keep out of my room” etc)

All proceeds will go to the Shed. Arrangements are:

mailto:roger42@dodo.com.aumailto:cherex@bigpond.net.au

You find/supply the piece of timber you want to use – minimum sizes will need to apply as the router bit will not do very small work;

You finish it (paint, stain, polish etc);

Price: $50 for signs having less than 10 letters and $5 per letter for signs having more than 10 letters (you will pay heaps more than this if you can actually find anyone to do it for you!).

Contact me and I will put you in touch.

Tuesday Exercise Classes

YVCC (next door to the Shed) Class time: 2-3pm

The classes are not onerous or difficult. They are designed to improve core strength and balance and the cost is $5 per session. Please note, if you have a health problem, you should mention it before you start the program – perhaps consult your doctor or physio? These classes are not just for Shed members or just for men. At present we have more women than men come to the classes. Tell and invite your friends – they will all be made welcome!

See you in The David Hale Room

The contributions made by members of the Exercise group each week ($5 per person per session) are being saved in the YVMS Good Deeds Fund for use when we would like to help out either in the Shed or in the Community, but our normal resources don’t cover the extra cost.

Membership News Membership has now climbed to 101 financial members.

Men’s Shed life lesson…#492 – Christmas

challenges and myths

Here are ten useful phrases for responding to Christmas presents you would rather not have

received:

1. Thanks a lot!

2. My word! What a gift.

3. Well, well, well ...

4. If I hadn't put on so much weight recently it would have fitted me perfectly.

5. Gosh, I hope I never lose this. We're always losing things around here.

6. It's great; but I'm worried about the envy it may create.

7. Just my luck to get this on the very Christmas I promised to give all my gifts to charity.

8. Unfortunately, I am about to enter MI5's Witness Protection programme.

9. Frankly, I don't deserve this.

10. Really, you shouldn't have.

Santa Claus is a woman because:

1. A man would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for

directions.

2. Men can’t pack a bag.

3. Men would rather be dead than be caught wearing red velvet.

4. Men would feel their masculinity is threatened…having to be seen with all those elves.

5. Men don’t answer their mail.

6. Men aren’t interested in stockings unless somebody’s wearing them.

7. Finally, being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.

Don’t forget!

Reward Points at Home Hardware You can help us a lot by giving the Shed your points when you make a purchase at Home Hardware. Just ask the cashier to “allocate the loyalty points to the Yass Valley Men’s Shed”. A number of members have made this a regular practice and we have benefited to the extent that we can use the funds to replenish consumables (glues, screws, sand papers etc etc from time to time). Think about it and help us out – please. It IS worth it.

General Invitation – help me out If you would like to see any additional information in the Messenger or have any suggestions or contributions to make, please feel free to contact me

Birthdays around this time

24/11: Peter Hercelinskyj, Al Coney 25/11: Geoff Kell 28/11: Roger Lawrence 3/12: Blake Reid 4/12: Anthony Lee 10/12: Curtis Cox

15/12: Andrew Todd 17/12: Duncan McGregor 18/12: Bob Frank, Don McCann 19/12: Ray Hill 20/12: Dara Madden 27/12: Russell Hill, David Baxter 29/12: Harold O’Brien, Mark Garland 6/1: Robert McGregor 11/1: John Backhouse 12/1: Geoff Frost

Happy Birthdays, Chaps!!! (don’t forget, significant others are real people too – we are happy to wish them “happy birthday” if you give me the details – this includes Canadians!) w

Wayne Stuart Secretary, Yass Valley Men's Shed 0419 292 022 secretary@yassmensshed.org.au http://yassmensshed.org.au

mailto:secretary@yassmensshed.org.auhttp://yassmensshed.org.au/